Local News

Man cleared of helping double killer avoid arrest

A LORRY driver has been cleared of helping double murderer Christopher Line evade police after he shot dead two Southend men.

Michael Clinton, 41, was confronted on his doorstep by Line shortly after he shot Shane Hill, 20, from Stromness Road, Southend, and David Castell, 29, of no fixed abode on March 15 last year.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Clinton, of Church Close, Beck Row, had been scared for the safety of his family when he let Line into the house and then drove him to Soham the next day, after making a 12-minute call to Line’s boss Sam Vinden, 39.

After considering the evidence for almost three and three-quarter hours, a jury of five women and seven men found Clinton not guilty of perverting the course of justice by assisting Line to evade arrest.